New Leader Takes the Driver's Seat at CATA

The Centre Area Transportation Authority Board of Directors has appointed Louwana Oliva as the Authority’s next general manager.

Oliva will take over on July 1.

She'll replace long-time general manager Hugh Mose who is retiring.

Oliva has served CATA as its assistant general manager for the past four years, overseeing the day-to-day activities of CATA’s Operations and Maintenance Departments, including all of CATA’s bus drivers and maintenance personnel.

She’s also been responsible for CATA’s major capital programs, including the $32 million expansion of CATA’s operating facility, which will begin this fall.

Louwana hails from Akron, Ohio, where she served for more than 15 years as the director of communications and then assistant executive director at the Akron METRO Regional Transit Authority. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media-Communications with a minor in Political Science from the University of Akron.

She’s also a graduate of Leadership APTA (American Public Transportation Association), Leadership Akron and Leadership Centre County. She serves as the current APTA human resources committee vice-chair and as a board member for the State College Food Bank.

“I know that I can speak for the entire CATA Board of Directors as well as the employees when I say that we are truly excited to have Louwana take the reigns as Hugh rides off into the sunset,” says John Spychalski, CATA board chairman. “Louwana brings to the position expertise that will further strengthen the organization and thereby enhance the services provided by the authority for the community. It will be a sad day when Hugh walks out the door for the last time, but it’ll be a good day, too, because the board knows that he will be leaving CATA in very good hands.”

“This last year has been a year of growth in all aspects of the CATA organization,” says Oliva. “I am thrilled to step into a leadership position in an agency that is growing and thriving, and has an engaged board and dedicated staff.”